A Legacy which Unites

In 2008 I had the opportunity to meet two "Fila" people who became my friends and with whom I've exchanged emails and learned a lot from, since. I met them both through a very well regarded friend and Fila person, Ines Van Damme. One is Fransisco "Chico" Peltier, presently a well known and very accessible living public personality, part of Fila history. But, back then, I had heard of him only through Fila books and the "O Fila" Boletins, now out of print. His notoriety was due to his whistle blowing about the illegal mixed breeding that happened in the 70's and 80's and the  aiding, enabling and covering up the practice by official dog clubs of the time (still in operation), his efforts inspired a group of breeders, headed by the Fila Pioneer Paulo Santo Cruz, to organize and start an independent club called "Club for the Improvement of the Fila Brasileiro" known as CAFIB. At the time of our introduction he had been away from the breed for over a decade. His historically bold and thorough exposé of the misdeeds of breeders and authorities of those years, as well as the subsequent closing of his kennel and his withdrawal from active involvement in the Fila community, imbued him with a well-deserved status of a legend within the micro-cosmos of the Fila Brasileiro rare-breed community. To me, getting to meet Chico was pretty much like meeting a favorite writer, a sports idol or a celebrity.. As it turned out, he is a cool guy who has a great sense of humor, as well. 

Estrela Vale do Beraca ( Zulú do Engenho Velho x Aruaná de Bragança)
photo canil Vale do Beraka

Ines also re-introduced me to an American, (once) Fila breeder called Donna Valentine, whom I had personally met for the first time at a Fila Show in Itanhandu, MG, with some other american breeders  there at the time as well as her husband, Larry. I remember her being very nice to me and I enjoyed her critique about the dogs participating, including our mutual appreciation of a female called Estrela Vale do Beraka. Around 2004, I had received the very first "O Fila" bound xerox copies from her, through someone else. I was living in California then and had put up the first version of the Fila411 blog, about 9 years ago! Donna was never a huge Fila forum participant and kept a pretty private profile. A few years after that Itanhandu show we had met in, she had made the move from Colorado to Brazil, in the hopes of retiring to a peaceful, bucolic property, surrounded by Wildlife, Filas, cattle, horses, reptiles and insects. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out that smoothly. 

Coincidentally, both Chico and Donna had not been "professional" breeders. They produced 1 or 2 litters and had decided not to pursue the activity, each for their own very relevant reasons, but they remained dedicated to the breed, nonetheless. Both in their manner, also collected and organized a large and eclectic archive of the breed's history, and memorabilia which is a legacy that has the power to unite all people who admire the Fila breed.

...

Ray's Candy Store, NYC, 2008 "Obama Specials"

2008 was also the year that I was in NYC and when Barack Obama got elected (for his first term). The year I worked on 2 music videos in L.A. with Lady Gaga and most significantly, it was the year the big recession hit us. As much as my husband and I were happy about the election results and although I was still working for a hot celebrity, we started experiencing the first effects of the Great Recession; we both had dim prospects of future work. The direct result of that was that I spent a lot of time online, searching for job opportunities and networking.. To make things even more discouraging, It was a very harsh winter.

Among the few things that got me looking forward to another day were my conversations via email with Chico Peltier and Ines. At the time his archival website had just been put together and had recently been launched. He had hired a pro translator to put together some articles for the English language section of his site. A very well known Fila breeder had promised to translate some articles for his site, but had been put off for so long and taking way too much time, delaying the release of the site. So my introduction to Chico was made initially to get those translations finally moving.

Also at that time, Donna and her husband were hit by some very unusual and unexpected circumstances connected to the purchase of her cattle farm from a prominent Brazilian couple, it also involved her and her husband's naturalization in Brazil. The kind of stuff that would have been pretty terrifying for a native Brazilian, I can't even imagine going through what they did, without speaking or reading the language! They needed the help of a person that could translate things, also someone who was familiar with the Brazilian "way". I was concerned for them and made myself available to help. We kept in touch by email and Skype, until her communications started getting hacked later in the following year.

Prize Brahman at the expo 2009 Belo Horizonte

In March of 2009, I was back in Brazil. Donna and I made plans to meet for trip to an agricultural Fair in Belo Horizonte together, later in the day we would go to a lawyer for a consultation about her case, and I would be her interpreter. We learned about her situation in detail, and I realized, it was not going to be easy or quick for her to get justice in her case. Not to mention, they were pretty much on their own. Very few of the people they had known decades ago supported them or offered to be of service. The court case was promising to be long and drawn out as predicted.

Unfortunately, we lost touch over the email hacking and the telephone connection difficulties, but finally after almost a year, I received notice from a friend that they had prevailed with court case and all the appeals. Once again, her email was "hacker free" and we were soon in touch again. Throughout this saga, Chico and I remained corresponding as well, and I must have translated at least 30 articles and blog posts for him!

Fazenda Pedra Negra, Itanhandu, MG

As soon as Donna and I reconnected, I made a visit to their farm which is called Fazenda Pedra Negra  [Black Rock Farm],  they had finally won their case and they had also gained their Brazilian Residencies!

She picked me up at the Sao Lourenço Rodoviaria with her ranch-hand. She looked splendid and very active. I was also pleasantly surprised that she was speaking and understanding a little Portuguese, she had even hired a private portuguese teacher!

Faz. Pedra Negra, Itanhandu, MG (prop. Donna and Larry Valentine)

The farm is located in an incredible Valley surrounded by hilltops and breathtaking views. The kennel's facilities are like nothing I've ever seen before. 8 to 13 Filas living there currently, but there have been more. Each in their personal runs, having their individual personalities and some have tough health issues. Some are all older dogs now, and since Donna hasn't pursued breeding activities, there aren't any puppies running around.

Dedication and love for the breed not withstanding, the biggest reason why Donna and Larry haven't pursued breeding is their concern about the health issues that plague the breed; a direct result of health clearances not being made a priority in breeding decisions for this breed as a whole. As years go by and their dogs get older, they experience their dog's discouraging hardships of hip and elbow displasia, skin issues and behavioral issues, among others. They have also gradually and increasingly kept away from the Fila "world", its shows and expos of which they were once honored participants. However, they  still keep in contact with a handful of people they regard, coincidentally, some of which are also not involved in the Fila world for similar reasons.

Aside from the natural beauty of the location and the facilities, there is also a real Library building in the facility. A large building which houses shelves upon shelves filled with books on wildlife, reptiles, insects, horses and dogs. A very impressive sight!  A treasure made up of collectors items and at least two decades worth of Fila collectables, documents and photos. Among them, documentation and photographs of the early Fila days in the USA, early days of Cafib in the USA; trips to kennels in Brazil; historical Cafib Analyses; dog periodicals and magazines, trophies and other relevant Fila-related things.

All admirers and lovers of this breed of dogs, are fortunate to have this dedicated league of people among us as powers of example, they are: those who do historical research based on fact; those who collect authentic historical documents and photographs; those who participate in the organizing and edification of breed clubs and associations for betterment and conservation of the breed;  those who research about health, well being and reproduction including the science behind it in order to pave the way for responsible and healthy breeding. The common interest among these minds is in maintaining the legacy of this fantastic Brazilian dog breed, with that comes the responsibility of respect for its integrity. If not for this league of people, we wouldn't have had the information we have access to today, at the click of a mouse or tap of a finger. We might even have not had the dogs to begin with! Nor the possibility of breeding for correct type and temperament based on a historical and physical template, neither a proven system of evaluation and breeding based on a preservationist philosophy and most recently, a DNA databank of the breed (hopefully we may include a thorough  investigation of inherited diseases with that).

During my last visit to Fazenda Pedra Negra, I was entrusted with a part of this legacy and the oral history behind it, organized and collected by the Valentines. To me, it is a special privilege and I am excited to share this experience with others through this blog in segments starting with periodicals and magazines. It will include pictures and translated portions in the articles and other items of interest. I've also started a tumbler account for the hundreds of snap shots of dogs in the USA and Brazil!  

So let's start off here with periodicals..

© Copyright 2013 Fila411-USA

The Valentine Archives | Magazines & Periodicals

Caes e Compania | Dogs & Co.

#31 yr III - december 1981 - part I: 

Dogs & Co. Year 3, #31, December 1981

I was always curious to know how Americans first got to know and love Fila Brasileiros. For Donna Valentine it was from "seeing them in a Dog World Mag and liking the look". 

(D.V.): I inquired about them from the breeders listed, which were Copeland Shavers and Sue Armstrong (Fazenda do Indomito kennel). I preferred Sue and went with her.  They both had dogs from Clelia [Kruel], Flint do Camping for Copeland and Febo do Camping for Sue.

We got into Fila in 1988.  We even had to get on a waiting list to get our first one!!  She wasn't good at all.. She said laughing.

At our first dog show in Kansas, we met Pearl and Frank DeRidder from NY.  They had Filas from Brazil and they invited us to a show back East.  We went and as Frank sold airplane parts and he was dealing with Francisco Peltier, in Brazil. 

That was also when Donna learned about the CAFIB.

(D.V.): Frank invited CAFIB to come to the states for the show and we attended and that is how it all started. I truly believed in the CAFIB theory and still do. 

Although from Donna's pragmatic point of view, people get in the way of that.

(D.V.): Hard to say what came to mind when we first saw the difference in the "fila" types.  Brenda had Dictator and you know what he looked like. She was at that first CAFIB show. Also, and they told her he was a mixed-bred and advised not to breed him. She, of course, declined on that!!  He didn't even attack on the TT. It was a sad thing to watch.  

Clelia [Kruel] was not supportive and she was very unfriendly. She was less than pleased. 

Clelia' s "interesting comments" about the event are found in the Valentine's Archives in their correspondence. We may publish something on this blog about them soon.

(D.V.): When my friend, Beth Cepil, and Micki Smith and I first came to Brasil in 1995, I absolutely loved it.  I love rustic and primitive. I just didn't know how difficult it was to live with primitive.  We visited SP,  so that was much different from where we are now. 

... 

on the Cover Ch. Gr. Ch. Ch. Bugre do Kirimaua

An end of the year issue that features an article about the Fila. Curiously, the other feature article is "We will show you how to make a profit by breeding!

The magazines are in near perfect condition and as an added Bonus they came with hand written commentary about the dogs by someone in CAFIB. I am waiting for a confirmation on who this person is, because neither Donna or Sue can recall. Hopefully, someone acquainted can recognize the handwriting and update us on it! Nonetheless, the notes are guidelines about type, conformation and are a commentary on the breeders as well. Also, unfortunately, some of the pictures were cut out. Most likely to illustrate important context written in the notes. The photos seen here are mostly posted in the order on the written notes as well as a few other pages having other fila interest.

(D.V.): The magazines were sent to Sue Armstrong by a man who was one of the first to get on the CAFIB bandwagon, but I have forgotten his name. Those magazines are from the 80's.

hand-written note - front

Transcribed from the Handwritten notes:

Caes e Compania no.31

1)- Cover dog   Shows a "stop" too strong, small ears, but not bad at all!

2)- PAGE 23     A typical bastard. He is nothing! A mix of mastiff and others. Even the skin is different

3)- PAGE 24/25  try to cut the ears of the black one. You'll see a "Mastino Napolitano" Can't you see the difference on the muzzles

4)- PAGE 26/27  Camuri do Embirema Fila x Mastiff x Mastino, unfortunately

5)- PAGE 27  Ch Kalu dos Pampas  Fila x Dog Alemao (Great Dane) x mastiff

6)- PAGE 28  Cacique and Orixa. I like them both. Orixa is the father of your Guaira.
7)- PAGE 30  All colors on puppies - a good male dog (Boiadeiro) and a Monster (Atus)

hand-written note - back

8)- PAGE 32  Again Camburi and the King of Bastards: Thor

On page 35

THE only pure filas are [marked] with 3 x['s]

Can you see howw the head type of Quizumba do Samor and the bitch from Embirema are the same ?

that is mixs [that is a mixed]

credits & presentation | page 6

In the credits as consultants for the magazine and for the Fila specifically are Eugenio H.P. de Lucena president of the CBKC and Vania Brien from the Clube Paulista do Fila Brasileiro. Very likely they will editorialize to favor their club's interests. So it is no surprise that their associates kennels and dogs will be featured as well as advertised in the magazine.

page 19 - Regulating Breeding

On page 19, there is a section edited by the Clube Paulista do Fila Brasileiro about a proposal to implement Breeding Regulations for the Fila Brasileiro. It suggests regulating a minimum age for males at 18 months and 16 months for females; an evaluation by a technical committee which would issue a  temporary Certificate of Approval (CAR) for reproduction, and which would be permanent after an approval of 2 liters by this same committee. [Sound familiar?]. It also would make reproduction announcements and liter verifications by a technical committee mandatory, as well as a mandatory tattoo I.D.. This was intended to be proposed to become official in 1982. I have no information as to whether this was implemented at all in CBKC breeding guidelines or rules.

page 22 & 23 (bottom right is cut out)

Fila Brasileiro - New Direction for a breed in evolution. According to this editorial, the breed had a very rapid and successful assention as the second most bred in the country. However, according to the article: Fila enthusiasts have a challenge to overcome: an ideal type. There wasn't consensus on the ideal Fila type. Nonetheless, they still acknowledged then, the functional Fila as a guardian. According to José Maia (Abaetá da Cachoeira kennel) the Fila Brasileiro would substitute the GSD.

The premise of this article is a grand paradox, taken into consideration that the Commission of the Improvement of the Fila Brasileiro (CAFIB) started out in 1976 by elaborating a system of analysis of phenotype and temperament (page 19 has a watered-down version of CAFIB'S program as a "proposal for 1982"). The outcome of such an effective system is clearly shown in CAFIB's breeding stock today. While the CBKC, even after having modified the breed standard 3 times over the years and completely eliminated the temperament tests, is still plagued with a variety of at least 5 different types.

year III, issue#31, Oct./Nov./Dec., 1981

Starkly juxtaposed to the CBKC..
The CAFIB released its Bulletin having on the cover Pedrinho do Engenho, Paulo Santos Cruz and Jose Gomes - A historical encounter in Varginha. It is quite obvious, having these 2 publications in hand, how the directions are diametrically opposed.

typical list of Approved dogs showing their
numbers and names

 









Issue #31, of Oct./Nov./Dec., of 1981 the end of year results of the Specialized Show are listed, as well as an editorial about the Grand book of the Fila Brasileiro.



A month prior to the CBKC leaning publication's year end feature about the Fila Brasileiro, the Cafib publishes their bulletin having the article What the analysis of phenotype are  for. With an Course on the Structure of the Fila Brasileiro.


As of Dec. 24th, 2012, all the O Fila [The Fila] bulletins became available on the Cafib BR site (http://www.cafibbrasil.com.br) for a fee. Issues #1 and #7 are available for free.

continues on blog post Caes e compania #31, Dec., 1981 part II

Caes e Compania | Dogs & Co. #31 yr III - december 1981 - part II

“That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.”
Christopher Hitchens

In search of a more homogeneous breeding stock, says the subtitle.. The article acknowledges that the breed is too heterogeneous and an ideal defined type has not been achieved. One of the factors they attribute this situation to is the origin of the breed, resulting from the crossing of breeds such as the Bulldog, the Bloodhound and the Mastiff in the farms of Minas Gerais. The Grand book of the Fila Brasileiro by Procopio do Vale, Enio Monte and 43 collaborators advertised in this same issue, promotes that same hypothesis for the origin of the breed, although the authors fail to produce evidence to substantiate the hypothesis. 
They also blame the Initial Registry accepted from 1946 until 1974. Claiming it brought in questionable breeding stock from farms and other sources outside of the control of the CBKC, although in 1981 the breed was already at a stage of evolution wherein breeders could work well known bloodlines from a few generations.
 The 3rd reason they attribute as contributing for a very heterogeneous breeding stock,  was the culture of dog breeding being used to "ready made" standards from foreign breeds, making it difficult for a proper and defined standard for a national breed. The breed standard in effect at the time of this publication was issued in 1976 and according to the article, was put together to define certain obscure aspects prior to the previous standard of 1954. There was unanimity among breeders in the recognition of some improvement in their breeding stock, however, the standard in place gave way to diverse interpretations a fact proven by at least 6 different types of fila which are accepted, they affirm.

pages 24 & 25 - Canil Belo Cruzeiro, SP (top left|Black coat), Canil da Cachoeira, RJ (center | brindle) Canil Curumau, RJ (top right | fawn)

 

This pie chart on page 25, shows the number of registered filas in Brazil (5.067 filas) in 1980, according to their total by state numbers. Rio de Janeiro holding the 38,1% (1.932 filas) and Sao Paulo with 28.6% (1.451 filas), having the largest amount. It's very curious that Minas Gerais, the state named by them as where the fila originated from only contributed with only 7% (358 filas) of the total registered dogs, just a little over the distant northeastern state of Pernambuco, 6,8% (345). I am curious to know the explanation of how RJ and SP end up with almost 3 times as many dogs as the state that originated the breed..

pages 26 & 27

 It appears as if in 1981 they had no clue what a Fila should be like. They believe the standard permits "elasticity" of interpretations and suppose there were "combinations" of characteristics that could be put together and selected. As I read this, I imagine in my mind a lego-like breed that can be constructed into whatever one's ideal can put together! They were so married to this mentality, that the CBKC intended to create a commission for a hearing on judges, breeders and specialized clubs, as well as an excursion around the country to observe individual dogs. They talk about the organization of a symposium to debate the standard and to create breeding guidelines to be put in effect at a national level by this Counsel. The entire page is devoted to justify plans for the debate about the standard for the breed in the following year, with an objective of modifying it. Mainly, because they found pressing reasons to urgently contain the great number of liters being bred and registered from being notably heterogeneous as the trend in breeding results had indicated thus far.
The pages are filled with fila kennel advertisements as well as Great Dane advertisements. Just as in Fashion magazines, wherein the editorial fashion shoots are done with the clothing brands advertised, so are the dogs featured in the editorials are from the kennels in the advertisements.

page 28

The caption on the photo on page 28 says that Females display 10% less aggressiveness when alongside a male. (The source this information is taken from is not indicated). On this page they also discuss the aggressiveness of the Fila. They say many are adamant that the Fila will not let anyone touch them, not even a judge at a show. Judges, on the other hand, believe this is an excuse used to keep judges from examining faults in teeth alignment. Also, a great impediment for the breed to be recognized by the AKC. The article calls the Fila a breed having a "split personality" because it is docile with those at home and hard to handle in face of strangers. Stating that a Fila may bite a visitor; they state the owner of Brafa da Mata Fria, Sergio Lopes, was bit by one of his own dogs. These were just some of the issues with the breed in the 80's as well as prognathism, cow-hocks, a variety of proportions of head and muzzle, all of which would be dealt with in the following year's symposium, having the main objective to seek a less atypical and better Fila. 

The 2 graphs on the bottom of page 28 are based on a CBKC bulletin of march, 1981, which showed a progression of number of dogs participating in shows, Championship Titles and Titles for Grand Champion. The difference between number of dogs participating in shows from 1976 to 1981 is of 1.634 dogs. Almost 3 times as many dogs participated in shows in 1981 than in 1976. Even more shocking is the number of registered Filas, which is shown in the next graphic with blue rectangles. In 1976, 1554 Filas were registered (which is quite a lot); in 1979, 5323 Filas were registered. That is a minimum average increase of 1256 dogs per year.  This progression is not explained throughout the article.

The Situation of the Fila in the Country.. This portion of the article is a run down of the situation of the breed in different parts of the country. The entire article is fundamentally a pep talk for a reformulation of the standard. Which was the solution they found to "equalize disparities". Finally, there are suggestions drafted on the last page of the article, on page 31.

Some suggestions for a new official standard for the breed

Trends put together by gathering the opinions of the majority of fila breeders for a debate at a symposium in 1982. There were divergent segments one pro standard change and another in favor of keeping the 1976 Standard.

-Evaluation of character and temperament trial to be done on dogs over 12 months   outside of the show ring.

- Head better definition for form, top of head and stop, as there was believed to be contradictions in the current (1976) standard. They believed the head should be slightly squared, and that the stop should not be marked seen front on, but the could be marked seen in profile.
- Bite inferior overbite to be discussed because it was believed it could be tolerated. However, superior overbite not permited, or both not accepted but not judged having equal value .
- Ears  definition of height of insertion
- Eyes  definition
- Topline and rump  rump not excessively higher than front -
- Trunk rectangular seen in profile - square figures to be penalized
- Coat Colors definition for acceptable colors preferably - brindle having base coat color chocolate, fawn and greyish, black, golden, and fawn. The brindle having greyish base coat color from crossing with Great Dane (which can be noticed by coat texture) must be penalized, as well as the brindle having white markings on its back. White markings will only be permitted on paws and chest. Some have the opinion there should be genetic research for the black coat color.
- Height and weight  stipulate max limits
- DQ's  short ears, lightweight build, prance, paws turning out
- Serious Faults short gait
- Faults  lack of dewlap
 
End of Article.

Collaboration  credits for this article:

 
Since the First written Standard, the CBKC has always opted for changing the breed standard. The latest change was made in 2004. Currently, they do no test for temperament or any other functional capacity and they also do not have an approval for reproduction certificate program in place.

1984 CBKC Standard and 1st Fila Standard

Current breed standard compared to the Cafib Standard. 

Do you agree ?

Take the poll on the right. The poll will go on for 11 days. 

Share it with your friends, friendly comments are encouraged.

An Important Point of View

****UPDATED****

I came across this article written by Joao Nunes from Canil Alufam on his page on Facebook.  I identified so much with it, that I thought it deserved international exposure and recognition, most importantly, for its clarity and reason. I hope it will resonate with like minded Fila breeders and enthusiasts!

Dear friends,
Once again, I wish to express a personal observation:
To me there has always been what I call the Classic CBKC Breeder, ie, individuals that breed, select, and compete in CBKC Shows with dogs having very different characteristics from the Fila Brasileiro bred according to the Paulo Santos Cruz (PSC) Standard for the Fila published in O Fila year I, Issue 8 – July of 1979. So far as there is no mistreatment of animals, that’s perfectly all right with me! They live their lives and I live mine in a friendly and civilized coexistence. But lately, happening in parallel to the increasing acceptance and dissemination of the PSC standard; mainly in Brazil and abroad, I have very frequently been starting to identify a group of breeders that I have come to call Breeders of Hybrids. They argue their position in a very unscientific manner.  Here are some of the examples:

                                                                                                      1) "It’s just a dispute between clubs".

the lesson learned in the 70's still being repeated today..

Wrong, breeding is done on scientific criteria and therefore needs standards and benchmarks. You might not even be a fee contributing member of a club, but you will need a standard to guide your breeding. Now, in any human institution, troubled individuals will always exist. Those who want to use a social group as a release for their personal hang-ups. Well, for those we may reserve our compassion.

2) "I just like a good Fila."
That might be acceptable if you just want to have a dog for your home. But a breeder who is guided by scientific criteria should know that it is not a matter of "personal liking", one must have a scientific explanation for their choice. For example: Two plus two will always be four, like it or not.

3) "the Fila is a mixed breed anyway"
Wrong. The Fila is a collection of individuals whose somatic characteristics are genetically determined and thus inherently transmitted between them. Therefore, the Fila Brasileiro cannot be mixed, either it is a purebred dog or it is a crossbred dog. When new genes are introduced, whether it be from one of the archetypal breeds that formed the current breed, this new dog will not be a Fila, but rather, a compound of Fila genes and genes of breed X. This is "Tio Chico’s" reasoning when he proposes the adoption new breed qualifications, that is, the breed created by Fila genes and the genes of breed X. (Tio Chico's proposal here)

4) "There are good Filas in both groups."
Wrong, there may be good dogs in both groups, however, the Fila Brasileiro is the one that brings in its genetic baggage, characteristics of the breed that will be passed on to their offspring. "The choice of a Breeding Technique and Adoption of Selective Criteria are crucial for the development of a Breeding Program" (O Fila - Year I, vol.3, 02/1979).

5) "There are also atypical dogs in CAFIB. I do not see anything being done for the breed by either CAFIB or CBKC "
Misusing the word "atypical" is very convenient for the breeder who wishes to remain without taking a formed position, and enjoying the benefits of participating in both groups because, in being so, the dog that is not accepted in one group can be accepted in another on the grounds that this divergence in acceptance would be only a "dispute among clubs." The word "atypical", when used in the sense of anatomical or physiological characteristics uncommon to breed, as in females who get c-sections or animals with little bone mass, always occur in any breeding program; the breeder only needs to reassess its breeding program pairings. However, the atypical in the context of signs of crossbreeding is what the CAFIB has been eliminating from the gene pool, for over thirty years, with the analysis and the progeny tests. Given these findings, I cannot agree with the statement: "The CAFIB does nothing for the breed, also."

6) "Many of CAFIB dog’s ancestors were not CAFIB and then what?"
That is why the analysis are done! (O Fila-year III, vol. 30, 1981 07/08/09).

7) "I think its too much radicalism coming from both groups"
The serious breeder (which does not necessarily mean the successful breeder) must have a scientific reasoning, ie, based on scientific evidence and findings of fact. Therefore, expressions such as "radical", "lack of democracy" and "prejudice toward the black color", do not fit in this discussion. Those issues are very important, but for discussions on human relations!

8) "I know what a Fila is because I breed for many years"
Indeed, managing a kennel and dealing with dogs on a daily basis is certainly an experience that will contribute a lot! However, when you identify the true and original Fila, according to the PSC standard (O Fila - year 1, #8 - 07/1979), you are just as inexperienced as me and many others because you spent years using another evaluation criteria in your breeding program.

I could cite several other interesting thoughts that have been said to me, however, notice that the ultimate goal is to always justify that Hybrid Breeder may take advantage of the criteria used by the CAFIB Fila breeders and of Classic CBKC dog breeders. This attitude destroys any scientific criterion of selection on both sides.

Incidentally, I send my regards to the Classic CBKC breeders that have taken a stand in favor of the differences and made their choice to continue on breeding their type of dog, and also, to my friends in CAFIB, selfless partners in favor of true Fila who teach and help me, so much.

Joao Nunes is the  Breeder and owner of Canil Alufam (Alufam kennel), located in Bahia, Brazil – the name of the kennel comes from the African language and religious culture so influential in Brazil and more specifically in Bahia. It denotes Godly protection and direction. Canil Alufam has been breeding according to the Paulo Santos Cruz/Cafib Standard for 20 years. He describes his breeding program as artisanal, but one that implements modern scientific criteria used in modern breeding.

Here is a preview of his practical selection of breeding males.